AN artist has launched an online auction of one of his paintings to raise money for the most vulnerable affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Anthony Padgett had donated his coronavirus painting to help fight Covid-19.

He has now put it up for auction on ebay with March 31 the deadline for bids.

The self-employed artist and has had to close his arts and dance teaching business.

He said: "My future is uncertain but my heart goes out to all the people and families who are being hit by the virus or who have lost their jobs and have bills to pay.

“It is important to come together at times of crisis and I hope to do my bit over the coming period. Meantime I’d like to offer this painting 'C' for auction on ebay.

"100 per cent of the money will go to the National Emergencies Trust (NET) which collaborates with charities and other bodies to raise and distribute money and support victims at the time of a domestic disaster.

"NET is launching a fundraising appeal to help those most affected by the recent coronavirus outbreak.

“I can paint like a photograph but this is my emotional expression of the horror of the virus and the bravery of those on the front-line fighting it.

"It shows the spread of the virus across the canvas from right to left, with the health worker on the right contracting it.”

Mr Padgett is also an award winning sculptor and his sculptures of Van Gogh form a permanent Van Gogh trail around England and Europe.

Mr Pagett is the great-great nephew of Humbert Wolfe, a pupil at Bradford Grammar School, also worked as a Whitehall civil servant in the 1920s and 30s. He was responsible for the organisation of labour in the Ministry of Munitions, equipping soldiers during the Great War.

Wolfe also helped equip British soldiers for the Second World War and was the first to write poems against the Nazi Party

His 1916 poem, 'Requiem: The Soldier', is read at Remembrance Sunday services each year.

Go to https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/C-painting-by-Anthony-D-Padgett-all-funds-to-charity/283822766989?hash=item421527bb8d:g:OzsAAOSwygFedjcd